In Cumberland County, the Maurice River flows. It flows through farmlands, forests, and suburbs, ultimately emptying into the Delaware Bay. In 1983, a wastewater lagoon at a pesticide plant near the river collaposed, transporting tons of arsenic and killing the vegetation and wildlife in its path. The investigation into this event led to a closer look at the remnant footprints of industry and area development. The re-routing, excavation, dam construction is a compelling story and a starting point for discussion on what can be learned from this type of incident.

Thomas Belton
Research Associate in Science Writing with the Philadelphia Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University